NASCAR has suspended Sam Mayer from Saturday’s Xfinity Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. This comes after the Haas Factory Team driver’s contact with Jeb Burton in Martinsville violated the sport’s conduct code.
Officials cited Section 4.4B of the NASCAR Member Code of Conduct after Mayer spun Burton into the outside wall after the chequered flag had already fallen at Martinsville. This piece of driving was scrutinised by fans, especially after both drivers had clashed during the race itself.
Mayer, finishing in seventh and outside of the Championship 4, will not finish the series because of this.
Haas isn’t challenging the suspension, with Ryan Sieg taking over the responsibility of the No. 41 Ford.
“Although we are disappointed with the results, Haas Factory Team will not appeal the penalty NASCAR issued to Sam Mayer and the No. 41 team following last weekend’s race at Martinsville Speedway,” the team said on social media.
“We remain focused on finishing the season out strong at Phoenix Raceway and look forward to contending for a race win with Ryan Sieg at the wheel.”
This weekend’s race at Phoenix starts at 7:30pm on The CW. Radio coverage comes from MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
At the same time, Rick Ware Racing has been sanctioned by NASCAR after the right-rear wheel of Cody Ware’s No. 51 Ford came off.
Two over-the-wall team members have been suspended due to this – jackman De’Quan Hampton and rear-tire changer Marquill Osborne – with the pair returning after two races. They will return after February’s Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium.